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HUD: Tax Credit Can Be Used on Closing Costs
(Source: Robert Freedman, Realtor Magazine Online 6-09)
FHA-approved lenders recieved the go-ahead to develop bridge-loan products that enable first-time buyers to use the benefits of the federal tax credit upfront, according to eagerly awaited guidance from the U.S. Department of housing and Urban Development on so-called home buyer tax credit loans that was released today (6-09).
Under the guidance, FHA-approved lenders can develop bridge loans that home buyers can use to help cover their closing costs, buy down their interest rate, or put down more than the minimum 3.5 percent.
The loans can't be used to cover the minimum 3.5 percent, senior HUD officials told reporters on a conference call Friday morning.
Thus, buyers applying for FHA-backed financing with an FHA-approved lender that offers a bridge-loan program can get a bridge loan to bring down the upfront costs of buying a home significantly but would still have to come up with the minimum 3.5 percent downpaument.
There remain many sources of assisstance for buyers needing help with the 3.5 percent downpayment, including many state and local government instrumentalities and nonprofit lenders.
In addition, some state housing finance agencies have developed their own tax credit bridge loan programs, so buyers in states whose HFAs offer such programs can monetize the tax credit upfront to cover all or part of their downpayment. These programs are seperate from what HUD announced.
The first-time homebuyer tax credit was enacted last year--and improved upon earlier this year--to help encourage household to enter the housing market while interest rates are low and affordability is high. The credit is worth up to $8,000 and is available to households that haven't owned a home in at least three years. The credit does not have to be repaid, and is fully reimbursable, so households can get their credit returned to them in the form od a payment.
WE RECOMMEND: Learn more about the credit from your realestate attorney, accountant and real estate professional and/or at REALTOR.org and/or CLICK LOGO BELOW.
 (click logo LINKS to HUD Government Buyer Info)
Also, you may click the IRS link below for more information.
First-Time Homebuyer Credit Update November 24, 2009
Homebuyer Credit Expanded and Extended |
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Dianne McClusky | RE/MAX Island Realty | 99 Main Street | Hilton Head Island,
SC | 29926
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